Guest Paul H Posted July 8, 2007 Posted July 8, 2007 I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend suggested that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending failure. How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the old one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had happened? No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more than the new disk will? TIA, Paul
Guest Uncle Grumpy Posted July 9, 2007 Posted July 9, 2007 Re: Replace my boot disk? "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote: > Do I have to buy some software that will cost more >than the new disk will? You can buy Acronis True Image (reportedly) for as little as $22. It will do what you need if the sectors aren't so bad that a lot of what is on the disk is mangled. And you can use it in the future to keep backups handy in case of other problems.
Guest Newbie Coder Posted July 9, 2007 Posted July 9, 2007 Re: Replace my boot disk? Paul H, You can download free Disk Recovery software. Just search Google -- Newbie Coder (It's just a name) "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message news:95746D77-D5D7-49F8-AD16-F2DB816AB87C@microsoft.com... > > I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to > be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend suggested > that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending failure. > How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the old > one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had happened? > No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal > copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more > than the new disk will? TIA, Paul >
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted July 9, 2007 Posted July 9, 2007 Re: Replace my boot disk? "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message news:95746D77-D5D7-49F8-AD16-F2DB816AB87C@microsoft.com... > > I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to > be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend > suggested > that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending > failure. > How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the > old > one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had > happened? > No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal > copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more > than the new disk will? TIA, Paul > Many disk manufacturers offer a free cloning program on their home site.
Guest Patrick Keenan Posted July 9, 2007 Posted July 9, 2007 Re: Replace my boot disk? "Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@ameritech.net> wrote in message news:qr1393dsml0f5sucf9fh6qrccc3riqa2e6@4ax.com... > "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote: > >> Do I have to buy some software that will cost more >>than the new disk will? > > You can buy Acronis True Image (reportedly) for as little as $22. And in fact, you can use the Free Trial Version to clone the disk. it certainly is worth buying. HTH -pk > It > will do what you need if the sectors aren't so bad that a lot of what > is on the disk is mangled. > > And you can use it in the future to keep backups handy in case of > other problems.
Guest Paul H Posted July 9, 2007 Posted July 9, 2007 Re: Replace my boot disk? Maxtor provides a free copy so one can migrate like I need to, to a larger disk. "Patrick Keenan" <test@dev.null> wrote in message news:O7YZ8IkwHHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... "Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@ameritech.net> wrote in message news:qr1393dsml0f5sucf9fh6qrccc3riqa2e6@4ax.com... > "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote: > >> Do I have to buy some software that will cost more >>than the new disk will? > > You can buy Acronis True Image (reportedly) for as little as $22. And in fact, you can use the Free Trial Version to clone the disk. it certainly is worth buying. HTH -pk > It > will do what you need if the sectors aren't so bad that a lot of what > is on the disk is mangled. > > And you can use it in the future to keep backups handy in case of > other problems.
Guest Tom L Posted July 9, 2007 Posted July 9, 2007 RE: Replace my boot disk? "Paul H" wrote: > > I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to > be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend suggested > that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending failure. > How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the old > one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had happened? > No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal > copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more > than the new disk will? TIA, Paul > > TomL: Yes, would recommend doing an disk image backup on old hard disk drive using Acronis 9.1 or VCom Perfect Image 11.0 software. About $49 for Vcom and $79 Acronis 9.1. Will need to partition and due low level formatting of new hard disk drive using disk partition software, either Symantec Partition Magic, or Vcom Partition Commander prior to re-installing disk image !! Can try free download version form web site. Some installed software application programs record the hard disk volume serial number during install and may refuse to run if the volume serial number changes due to being installed on a new hard disk drive with different partiton serial number ! May need to record old disk serial number and re-install old serial number on new hard drive !! Other option is to re-install software application programs !! Good Luck ! TomL
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